The Alliance worked with the Dayton community to make Silver Lake an accessible and educational destination for locals and visitors alike. We worked with lake neighbors to design and install four interpretive signs detailing the local history, plant and animal diversity, and scenic beauty of the lake. The signs have QR codes linked to digital historical archives so visitors can dig deeper into the past while enjoying the present and promise of the future at Silver Lake, and they’re surrounded by beautiful pollinator gardens planted and maintained in partnership with Bee Friends of Dayton. We also worked with the Town of Dayton install trash receptacles to combat litter that diminishes Silver Lake’s beauty. And, thanks to the generosity of neighboring families and diligence of land trust Shenandoah Valley Conservancy, a public access easement is complete so that generations of local folks will enjoy Silver Lake.
Silver Lake Signage & Walking Path
In the words of Silver Lake Mill Owner Cheryl Lyon,
Silver Lake enjoys a unique role in Rockingham County; it’s on Virginia’s Wildlife and Birding Trail, Virginia’s Civil War Trails, and just a year ago, Virginia established the Silver Lake Historic District. The area has been especially enjoyed by families during the pandemic who walk or bike the Dayton Greenway and continue along the western edge of the lake.
The Silver Lake Project is Complete!!
We celebrated on June 26 with three flavors of mill-churned ice cream made by lake neighbors.
Thanks to all who made this project possible:
Silver Lake Mill
Shenandoah Valley Conservancy
The Rohrer Family
The Wenger Family
Rockingham County
City of Harrisonburg
Town of Dayton
Bee Friends of Dayton
Top photo by Striebig Photography & Design
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Spending time in the Shenandoah Valley means feeling connected to water, whether that’s through fond memories of stream stomping, fishing, swimming in a nearby lake or simply appreciating the local water sources with which we are blessed.
Silver Lake
We are extremely excited to announce that our project to enhance access and protect Silver Lake in Dayton, Virginia is in the home stretch, and it was worth the wait!
Wake Up and Make a Difference!
Join the Alliance staff, board members, community members and partners to celebrate progress towards clean water, conservation and vibrant communities in Harrisonburg and Rockingham.
Trash Cans for Silver Lake!
Thanks to the MANY people far and wide who care about Dayton’s lake and its wildlife, we were able to order FOUR trash cans and a pet waste receptacle.